Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrests of YAIR GUTIERREZ (DOB: 09/19/1973; single; and self-employed) of 2112 East Saint Georges Avenue, Linden, New Jersey and ALEXANDER GARCIA (DOB: 04/19/1972; single; and self-employed) of 245 Windsor Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey on drug-related charges. These arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO, the Ridgefield Park Police Department under the direction of Edward Rose and the Elizabeth Police Department under the direction of Deputy Chief John Brennan.

Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force conducted a two-months-long narcotics investigation of YAIR GUTIERREZ and ALEXANDER GARCIA. On Thursday, March 9, 2017, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force applied for and were granted a court-authorized search warrant for a vehicle driven and owned by Mr. GUTIERREZ, a Silver 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Detectives of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force also applied and were granted a court-authorized search warrant for the premises owned by Mr. GUTIERREZ and Mr. GARCIA - the Emporium Auto Sales, located at 186 Gibbons Court, Elizabeth, New Jersey. After executing the search warrants, Mr. GUTIERREZ and Mr. GARCIA were found to be in possession of approximately one and one-half kilograms of suspected heroin, $10,025.00 which was believed to be derived from criminal activity, a kilogram press machine, digital scales, and kilogram wrappers.

YAIR GUTIERREZ and ALEXANDER GARCIA were arrested without incident and each charged with one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b (1), a First Degree Crime. Both defendants were issued a warrant and held at the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in the Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.

Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Ridgefield Park Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Elizabeth Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.